Cadcorp E-news January 2013
|
|
Dear <<First Name>>,
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service rolls out Web Map Layers
Following a period of evaluation, RBFRS has replaced a bespoke intranet web mapping application with Cadcorp's Web Map Layers.
Anne Eatwell, IT Development Officer, explains the significance of the development. “RBFRS commissioned Cadcorp to develop a bespoke web mapping application in 2008 specifically for use within our incident recording system and for fire safety inspections. The application did what we asked of it. However, like all fire services, we are constantly reviewing our service in the face of changing expectations and pressures on funding. We recognised that it might be more effective for us to switch to a maintained off-the-shelf application customised to meet our needs, and Cadcorp’s Web Map Layers appeared to meet our requirements.”
The new application continues to provide a map window into what is an essential database in RBFRS - the ‘Incident and Building Information System’ (IBIS). Ms Eatwell describes the practical significance of having a map-based front-end to an incident and building database. “The integration of web mapping with IBIS makes it much easier for returning fire crews to enter locational information themselves. Because the application is easy to use, fire fighters have been able to take ownership of the information in this database. They know that the safety of the public and their own safety may depend on the information being accurate and up to date.”
Moving to an off-the-shelf web mapping application has brought other benefits to RBFRS as Ms Eatwell explains. “Our vision is to contribute to a safer Berkshire by reducing the incidence of death, injury and damage to property from fire and other emergencies. Web mapping is central to the achievement of this vision. It makes information on location more widely available – to more people, and also to more applications. We are using geographic information to support all three of our areas of responsibility: protection, prevention and response.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service has been a Cadcorp customer since 2004.
Read the Press Release.
Regional user group roadshow resumes
The second in a series of Cadcorp Regional User Group Meetings was held in Bristol on Monday 21st January at the offices of Avon Information Management & Training (Avon IM&T). 33 people braved the snow and ice to learn about new features in Cadcorp SIS 8.0.
Other topics covered included:
-
an update on the Inspire Directive
-
the use of the CAD tools within Cadcorp SIS
-
an update on application development
-
tile caching within Cadcorp Web Map Layers
Our host for the day, Trevor Foster, described some of the varied ways in which Avon IM&T have been using GeognoSIS and Web Map Viewer in support of the National Health Service.
In a presentation entitled 'Giving people greater choice of GP practice. The role of GIS.' Trevor Foster showed the work they have undertaken with GP practices within Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
The next UGM will be in Belfast, on 5 March. We are grateful to the Land & Property Services for kindly agreeing to host the event at Colby House, (formerly the premises of Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland). Download the programme.
Two days later on 7 March we will be running an equivalent event for Cadcorp users in Northern England. This will held at the Imperial War Museum North, Trafford, Park, Greater Manchester. Download the programme.
Both events are free to attend. You should email ian.robinson@cadcorp.com to secure your place at either venue.
Cadcorp in water resource management
The February issue of Geoconnexion International included an article 'GIS and Integrated Water Resource Management in Mexico'. It describes how Cadcorp partner Argeomatica SA is using Cadcorp SIS in a nationwide project with the National Water Commission of Mexico.
The project which we mentioned the last E-news is driven by a desire to alleviate conflicts over water brought about by uncontrolled development. Cadcorp SIS is being used both for its geotechnical capabilities, and for its ability to share spatial information amongst the organisations having an interest in sustainable development. Read the article at Geoconnexion
Cadcorp in education
The January issue of Geoconnexion UK ran an article 'Digimap for Schools: Scalable web mapping without the jargon'. It was part of feature on GI in education and training.
Photograph with permission of Ordnance Survey
Digimap for Schools is a subscription service that removes the need for individual schools to acquire and store mapping data on their own computers. EDINA, the national academic data centre based at the University of Edinburgh, takes care of that and provides map updates as required. However, Digimap for Schools is much more than a central and up-to-date mapping repository. It is also a mapping service and a mapping application.
Cadcorp’s involvement with EDINA goes back to 2007 when Cadcorp SIS® was selected to support the original EDINA Digimap service for higher and further education. Digimap for Schools extends EDINA’s service to primary and secondary education and uses Cadcorp GeognoSIS software to create print map output on demand. Read the article on Geoconnexion.
The Cadcorp Housing Seminar 2013
Our annual annual housing seminar is scheduled for 5th February 2013 at the School of Economic Science London. We have called the seminar 'Plan, build, manage. The geographic dimension of social housing'. This is intended to convey the fact that geography or location is central to many different activities of a registered social landlord. There will be opportunity to hear not only from Cadcorp, but also from invited speakers: Orbit Heart of England, plus dane group, emapsite, L&Q Housing trust, and Oxford Data Consultancy. Download the programme.
It's not to late to register for this free-to-attend event. Email fergus.craig@cadcorp.com
Mapping Showcase a success
Cadcorp was one of fifty or so exhibitors demonstrating at Mapping Showcase 2012. Held on 6 December at Lord's Cricket Ground, London, the event attracted over 500 registered visitors. (There is already talk of Geoinformation Group doing something similar in 2013 - Ed)
London Mapping Festival's second Mapping Showcase event was hailed a success.
Cadcorp SIS training courses
Sale, Cheshire - ICES Training and Conference Suite
An Introduction to Working with Cadcorp SIS 7.1
5 - 6 February 2013
THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL.
The next introductory course on SIS 7.1 will be held in Stevenage 14-15 May 2013.
|
|
|
